Description

Everything old is new again.

Brooks' C17 Cambium Saddle treads new ground for the esteemed manufacturer of classic leather saddles, well-known for saddles that last a lifetime and go the distance. The C17 is just as comfortable, durable, and handsome as the beloved B17, but it's entirely leather-free, making this saddle perfect for vegetarians or anyone who's ever wanted to try a Brooks but been intimidated by the break-in period or the required maintenance. The C17 Cambium is ready to go right from the start, and you'll never need to condition or tension it.

Made of vulcanized natural rubber for forgiving support, with organic cotton canvas and Brooks Numac waterproof coating. With a shape modeled after the tried-and-true B17, the C17 will provide a superb seat for long-distance bike tourists, endurance cyclists, everyday riders, mountain bikers, commuters, and more.

Die cast aluminum structure with stainless steel rails. Assembled from replaceable parts with no special tools required for servicing; the saddle's frame can be repaired in the event of an accident, making this truly a saddle for life.

I'm really pleased with this saddle, so much so that I have it on 3 bikes. I don't put it on my light race bike because it is a bit more substantial but for gravel and cyclocross I am happy with it. It flexes quite a bit and because of that, if you spin at really high cadences (over 105rpm) you'll notice some bounce but the benefit is that on gravel, dirt, cx courses, it serves to add some absorption so you actually stay in better contact with your bike. I have wide sit bones and the width of the c17 is perfect. Probably the only saddle I'd want to be on for rides over 3 hours.

Ive always been a fan of Brooks b17 saddles. So I decided to try the c17 because its no maintenance saddle and I couldnt be happier. Ill always love my b17s, but for my commuting bike, the c17 was a great choice.

I'll start by saying that this a very well crafted saddle. Maybe the best I've ever seen. I have several, well-ridden B17 saddles, but as we all know, these require breaking in, some maintenance, and must be protected from rain. I love my B17 saddles, and had great hopes for the C17 Cambium. The surface has just the right amount of friction to keep your butt where you put it.

Most modern saddles have some sort of soft area in the middle, where the shell is cut away, or otherwise relieved to prevent dreaded numb crotch. There is no obvious relief in this area on the C17, but in 400 km of riding, I had no numb crotch, so the plastic shell might be thinned in the middle, but I couldn't tell by looking.

The bad news was that during my 400 km tour, I developed a nasty saddle sore - something that has never happened with a B17. So, while the saddle required no break-in, my butt definitely did. I've never had this experience with a B17. I really wanted to love this saddle. However, I believe it's a mistake to do what I did put this saddle on a bike and start riding on a long trip.

So I give the saddle 4 stars for its design, looks and construction. Just don't expect it to feel like your favorite leather Brooks right out of the box.

This is my first Brooks. Bought it for my Kona Rove steel gravel bike. The saddle has a definitely unique style, with the natural cotton seating surface. The Cambium's flexible construction means it needs no break in at all, it's just unbelievably comfortable from the moment you mount it. Now they've got me thinking about a C15 version for my road bike

This is definitely not an inexpensive saddle (at least on my budget), but it is certainly a good one. Saddle preference is very personal thing, so I can't speak for everyone, but for me this is a winner. As I understand it, the geometry is very similar to that of the B17, so if you know that that saddle works for you, this one would be a safe bet. Unlike the B17, you don't have to worry about this saddle getting wet when it rains or stiff when it's cold. You also don't have to sit through a long break-in period for the saddle to get used to your butt. For me, this saddle is worth the money (especially if you can get a deal on it).